Metra names top administrative officer

Metra has appointed John Milano to deputy executive director for administration, effective Feb. 1.

Construction kicks off for New Orleans streetcar project

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) officials, Mayor Mitchell Landrieu and city council members gathered Jan. 28 to kick off the construction on the 1.6-mile North Rampart Street/St. Claude Avenue Streetcar Project, which will connect the French Quarter and Treme to Canal Street and Loyola Avenue via the network of streetcar lines in the city.

Amtrak commits $12 million to renovate Chicago Union Station

Amtrak has made a commitment of $12 million to continue renovations of Chicago’s 90-year-old Union Station. In the coming weeks and months, Chicago Mayor Emanuel will work in coordination with the federal government, the state of Illinois, Metra and Amtrak to facilitate a complete overhaul of Union Station that will require a multi-year, $500-million investment.

Ned Snead, founder of GREX, 1929-2015

Edwin de Steiguer (Ned) Snead, the founder and chairman emeritus of Georgetown Rail Equipment Company (GREX), passed away January 22, 2015 in Georgetown, Texas, at the age of 85.

UP, Metra activate new pedestrian crossing system at Wheaton, Ill., station

A new pedestrian grade-crossing system was activated at the Wheaton, Ill., Metra station along the Union Pacific West Line on January 26. The system was activated at the Maywood, Melrose Park, Elmhurst, Villa Park, Glen Ellyn, College Avenue, Winfield and Geneva stations in 2011.

Parsons Brinckerhoff, WSP get three-year extension of Waterloo light-rail contract

In Ontario, Canada, the Region of Waterloo voted to exercise a three-year option to extend its existing light-rail transit contract with Parsons Brinckerhoff and WSP.

Minnesota Gov. Dayton reveals plan to fix state infrastructure

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton has proposed a plan to fix Minnesota’s aging transportation systems, which would invest $6 billion over the next 10 years to address the state’s highway funding deficit, invest $2.356 billion in local government transportation projects and provide $2.92 billion for Metro and Greater Minnesota transit systems. The Governor’s proposal would create an estimated 119,000 new jobs and build the infrastructure necessary to meet the demands of a growing population and an expanding state economy.

CFE takes on track project to improve freight congestion

The Chicago, Ft. Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE) is planning a track improvement project enabling 40-mph train speeds across the entire 315-mile rail line from Tolleston, Ind., to Crestline, Ohio.

Study of Chicago RTA shows region’s public transport infrastructure needs $36 billion

According to a study released by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), mass transit providers in Northeastern Illinois do not receive the funds necessary from federal and state sources to address reinvestment needs.

TriMet operates MAX test train over Tilikum Crossing

For the first time, Oregon’s TriMet operated an electrified MAX test train on the northern segment of the new Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project alignment, including Tilikum Crossing, Bridge of the People, on Wed., Jan. 21. A powered Portland Streetcar train also traveled across the bridge during the systems test.

Eglinton Crosstown tunneling reaches half way point

Two tunnel boring machines (TBM) digging the western segment of the 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) underground tunnel for Metrolinx‘s Eglinton Crosstown line, officially reached the half-way point of their journey Jan. 20 as they broke through the headwall at Allen Road, in Toronto, ON, Canada.

UP increases Arizona line speed following track upgrades

Recent track upgrades meeting or exceeding all applicable Federal Railroad Administration standards will allow Union Pacific to increase the speed of its trains in several locations on its rail line between Arlington and Picacho, Ariz.

UTA taps Oldcastle for 10 grade-crossing replacements

As part of the Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) Salt Lake City TRAX Station Tactile Tile Replacements and TRAX Grade Crossing Replacements light-rail project, Oldcastle Precast’s Ogden, Utah, facility was contracted to supply 2,400 track feet of their StarTrack Grade Crossing modules.

Gov. Cuomo outlines goals for N.Y. infrastructure, wants train to LaGuardia

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo detailed his “2015 Opportunity Agenda” initiative, which includes a six-point plan outlining his vision to strengthen and modernize New York’s infrastructure, including an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport.

Final Scoping Decision document for Rochester to Twin Cities high-speed rail released

The Minnesota Department of Transportation, in cooperation with the Federal Railroad Administration and the Olmsted County Regional Railroad Authority, released the Final Scoping Decision document on the Zip Rail, a plan for high-speed passenger rail service between the Twin Cities and Rochester.

All Aboard Florida selects GC for Broward and Palm Beach stations

All Aboard Florida has selected Moss & Associates as the general contractor for the Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach stations. Construction activities are expected to commence at the end of the first quarter.

CP names new SVP sales and marketing

Canadian Pacific has appointed Timothy Marsh to senior vice-president sales and marketing, effective Feb. 1, 2015.

Parsons Brinkerhoff hires Hedlund as director of Public-Private Partnerships

Karen Hedlund, former deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has been named director of public-private partnerships (P3s) in the strategic consulting group of Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Sound Transit approved for $1.3 billion TIFIA loan for light-rail extension

Sound Transit has been approved for a $1.33-billion Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for construction of the East Link Light Rail Extension Project.

Metro-North says it will continue aggressive track maintenance plans through 2015

Metro-North is starting 2015 with rebuilding efforts and attention to major safety initiatives. The track improvements that defined 2014 are moving along and the railroad also expects continued progress as the last of the 405 M-8 cars are placed into service on the New Haven Line this spring.

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